As businesses struggle to adjust to the current shelter-in-place orders, most marketers are able to work remotely and to help push out critical business communications. But are you just hunkering down or could you adapt to keep your organization relevant through this process? Below you will find a checklist of considerations specific to B2B businesses that are trying to adjust their marketing strategies during the coronavirus crisis.
STEP 1 – Make Personal Contact with Top Clients
Many essential businesses are still up and running and even non-essential businesses are able to operate remotely. Some are going to experience incredible demand, but many are struggling. Use the 80/20 rule (top 20% of clients who make up approximately 80% of your revenue) to identify top clients, and begin a one-on-one outreach campaign to understand how this emergency is affecting your clients’ business, their employees, their clients… and don’t forget them personally, because their families and friends may be affected. Truly listen to understand each unique situation.
- Do you have a solution to help them?
- Can you be a knowledge resource for them? Are there resources or is there information you have that might help them through this period?
- Will it affect your business relationship? (project delays, pushed contracts, late payments, lost opportunities)
- Would communication from you now be viewed as intrusive or unwanted?
- Would a pause in your product/services be the right thing to consider for the longevity of the relationship?
- Conversely, can you offer any amended terms to help clients keep services on track and your employees working?
STEP 2 – Adjust Your Marketing Strategy
Once you are armed with information, and better understand your clients’ needs, it’s time to take action.
A. Keep clients and prospects informed:
- Announce operational changes
- Update website
- Post on social media
- Send email newsletters
- Think about physical signage
B. Adjust active messaging campaigns & advertising strategies:
- Scheduled/planned marketing campaigns and events may not be appropriate
- Make sure you are promoting relevant and timely offerings
- Specifically, consider if the tone of your messaging is appropriate in this climate
- Adjust PPC and search settings (and budget)
- Don’t forget to review and update social media post language
C. Some additional tactics that you might consider:
- Train sales teams and CSRs to be sensitive to the situation – even outline sensitivity scripts for your team to include in their outbound emails and calls
- Add a chat feature to your websites
- Create a triggered pop-up on your website to capture email addresses
- Set up e-commerce
- Build stronger digital sales presentations
- Rework customer journey
- Create and use branded Zoom backgrounds
- Deploy company-wide email signature advertising for key messaging
- Create video presentations & demonstrations
- Create webinars and other digital opportunities to connect
Do you need help?
If you need to fill staffing gaps on the marketing side – our team is all working remote and able to help. Please contact us if you need assistance.